Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia accounts for approximately 10% of all diagnosed cases of dementia in the UK. The disorder tends to occur in individuals over the age of 65 and is characterised by the build up of a particular protein in nerve cells of the brain.
The condition is caused by the development of Lewy bodies, which are abnormal deposits of protein which form inside nerve cells in the brain. Lewy bodies disrupt the communication between nerve cells by interfering with chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.
Symptoms of Lewy body dementia:
- Individuals with Lewy body dementia will often experience vivid visual hallucinations such as seeing animals or people which are not actually present.
- Periods of fluctuation in performance, such as tasks which are performed well one day, or at one point in the day, may be performed more poorly the next day, or a few hours later in the same day.
- Sleep disturbance, for example individuals with Lewy body dementia may experience vivid dreams and night time restlessness, accompanied by a tendency to fall asleep in the daytime.
Lewy body dementia shares characteristics of both Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals may have some of the motor symptoms which are typical of Parkinson’s disease such as muscle stiffness, trembling of the limbs, a tendency to shuffle when walking, loss of facial expression, and changes in the strength and tone of the voice.
Like individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, people with Lewy body dementia frequently have problems with spatial orientation (i.e., knowing where they are, and navigating in their environment) and mild memory problems. Problems with visual processing and planning are prominent features of Lewy body dementia.